John Clagett Proctor, who, like his father before him, studied law as a young man because he thought it essential to a well-rounded education, was awarded the honorary degree of doctor of laws by the National University last night. The degree was conferred on Mr. Proctor by Chancellor Leslie C. Garnett at commencement exercises in Memorial Continental Hall. Mr. Proctor, who has been called “the historian of the Capital,” was honored by the Law School “for his conspicuous services to the National Capital as one of its foremost historians and for his patriotic and generous contributions to the civic welfare of the District of Columbia.”

Others who received the honorary degree were Senator Logan of Kentucky, the commencement speaker; George P. Barse, general counsel to the controller of the currency, and William B. Kerkam, president of the American Patent Law Association.

Although Mr. Proctor has never practiced law, he took both his LL. B. and his LL. M. degrees from National University, receiving the first in 1893 and the second in 1894, when he was admitted to the District bar. In that respect he was following the footsteps of his father, John Clagett Proctor, Sr., who took his LL. B. degree from the same law school In 1874 and then devoted the rest of his life to newspaper work.

Native of Washington.

A native of Washington, Mr. Proctor has been active in a number of civic enterprises. He is vice president, chronicler and poet laureate of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia, a founder of the Society of Natives of the District of Columbia, having served that group as president in 1924-5, and is also chairman of the Committee for Marking Historical Sites in the District With Erection of Suitable Tablets. In addition Mr. Proctor holds the office of chronicler of the Columbia Historical Society and is chairman of the Committee on Memorials and Archives of the Masonic Veterans' Association. On the occasion of the inauguration of President Coolidge in 1925 he was named chairman of the Committee on Historic Sites of the Inaugural Committee.

For many years Mr. Proctor was in charge of printing at the United States National Museum. Since January, 1928, he has written feature articles on historical subjects in and near the District for The Star.

Worker for Representation.

Mr. Proctor has worked diligently for national representation for the District and has long been a member of the Citizens' Joint Committee on National Representation. He has also been a member for many years of the Columbia Typographical Union, Lafayette Lodge of Masons and the Independent Order of Odd fellows, being a past noble grand of Covenant Lodge, No. 13, of the latter organization. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which he was grand patron in 1929, and a member of the Trestleboard Club.

He and his wife, the former Annie Maud Crown, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary two years ago. They live at 1605 Jonquil street.